Thanks for the compliment. And I do have bad childhood memories about those two points. I'm not trying to antagonize everyone. I just think that while Steve has been a savior lately, it's a little silly that most people have taken 180 degree turns on him after just two games. In my mind, if Steve is able to help the Rockets turn this series around and win it, then he's bought another year, perhaps two. But it's two early to assume that the Rockets machine is well oiled after 82 games of dysfunction.
Welcome back to the phrase: Stevie Franchise! he has been fantastic this post season. Man, he is our Playoff MVP.
WORST POST EVER! You are one of the worst fans I have ever seen. How could you want a player on our team to do bad! .......
Look I believe in the law of mean reversion... but that doesn't stop me from wishing for another huge game from Francis. I mean that's the only way we can win. The announcers had a good point last night, for the Rockets to remain competitive Yao-Francis have to balance out Shaq-Kobe and let the role players decide the game. That's a pretty freakin' tall order seeing as Yao's no Shaq and Steve's no Kobe. And plus their role players are better than ours. However... it's all about pride and desire too and the Rockets showed some last night. Also... the Rockets may have had more team unity out there. The Lakers are in serious turmoil with the Payton issue. Rick Fox, I never thought I'd say this, is actually hurting the team. I hope Jackson doesn't shuffle the rotation because right now they do not have good chemistry.
For those that claim 82 games by STeve this year were mediocre are forgetting the season. He had plenty of good games this year, some we all wish we could forget, and others that were ok but no spectacular. I think concentrating on when to sacrifice and when to shine might have had effect on Steve's game. But with the clearer focus in the playoffs, it seems that Steve has shown leadership, and stepped up when we need him. There isn't really any denying that. Does that mean that now he knows the kind of focus things take he will be dynamite every game next season? Nobody can say for sure. I'd be willing to at least take a chance on that, but if some other deal falls into our lap then deal with that when the time comes. I plan on enjoying STeve's superstar play, and watching him kick up to playoff level leadership while our Rockets are in the playoffs. Our team is back in the playoffs and Steve is playing terrific. I love it! I'm just enjoying every minute of it right now, and I won't worry about next season or even this past one. One hasn't happened yet, and one is past. Right now we are in the playoffs and that's what I'm focussing on, and I'm loving what I've seen.
thats whats wrong with you guys right there who in the nba is perfect???????????? I still feel its hatred on this board for steve and they are just waiting for him to make a mistake or doing what this guy above just did by trng to nitpick.now come on what good does that do? how about this all of you stevie hater that want to see him fail go to the game and root your hart out for the rockets and steve francis. ,but the team as a whole need to have a good game like they did also for us to win this series.
I think that's exactly it. It was passive at times when he should have shot the ball, and the uncertainly probably caused him to miss some more shots. What hasn't been proven is can Steve tone up and down his game at will? Which is what he needs to do. Or can he only excel one way, which is with the ball in his hands. If he can defer to the post and still be confident when he does take shots, then basically there's no problems.
Yes, this is sound logic...if Francis leads us to the finals, he will have massive trade value...the better he does, the more he matures, the more he comes into his own - the more incentive we have to trade him. Always trade flash for fit - it worked for Sacramento right? Mike Bibby has led Sacramento to....oh wait, Sacrameto hasn't won a championship yet!
If teams went by this theory, Robert Horry would be playing in the euro leagues instead of having 5 rings
i like how the man just played his heart out and won the game for us and all everyone cares about is trading him
I know, people wont know they had a good thing till its gone!!! "sampson, I stick by my story" we WILL keep steve!!!
You have to have heart in your team and Francis is ours. If you get rid of steve you have no heart, no one to pump you up when you need a little boost. You aren't going to find that in everyone. Yeah he needs to work on a few things but i think he will fix those his heart is a big thing you can't overlook.
I think that the trading SF3 option is closed. Yao has said it again and again that he does not want to see SF3 traded. Unless the Rockets want to build the team around Cato and Cat, they don't dare to trade away SF3. Sf3 and Yao's game definitely can mesh and I can visulize down the road SF3 being the floor leader and Yao leading the team with 24-11 and being the franchise.
Steve has been a godsend to us in the playoffs. He had a bad season shooting wise, but he still managed to have decent games and make the postseason (not a big deal). He has really shown that he can lead this team, I know its only 1 win, but the way he elevated his game for the playoffs is great. He is shooting the ball well, he is setting up his teamates, getting boards, and his decision making has been almost flawless. I know its early and skeptical to say this, but it seems that Steve works better with Yao. One of the guards has to go, its very simple. But I think that Steve is beginning to understand how he needs to play to win. His shooting doesn't compare to Cats, but everything else Steve does is a HUGE PLUS. Packaging Cat with Cato/MoT + TE could pan out a very nice deal, adding a PF + a pass first PG could be huge to SF/Yao.
I agree, Stevie has been great. His turnovers are WAY down. He has been fabulous at leading our team in the playoffs this year.
You know...I'd rather have a guy that plays mediocre to good in the regular season but steps up big-time in the post-season rather than the other way around like the *cough cough* Astros But in all honestly...I'm gettin so sick and tired of people wanting to trade Francis NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES. And you know, I would be damn scared about the future of this team if Francis were to be traded. Some of ya'll seem to want a true pg for him...u know what they're a dying breed, so get over it...he's a scoring pg...he's the best player on this team...so unless it's some really, really, really good deal too good to pass up...then screw it...I dont wanna see our best guy traded. And yeah we can look to the Sac/Memphis, Phoenix/NJ straight up trades, everyone benefitted in those situations (i.e. their teams improved). But how many of those teams have won a title since...zero. Bibby dissappeared in the post-season last year and J Will against the Spurs. Marbury was traded again and is playing for a lifeless NY squad..which leaves Kidd...who would prob have a ring right now if not for the lack of frontcourt depth. Plus, Francis had to adjust to a whole new system this season...and he did w/o much complaint..he sacrficed himself for the team. So I'd honestly like to see what he does next season for us bfore determing whether he would be a better fit elsewhere. So PLEASE STOP THIS MADNESS...the Rockets are in the playoffs so lets just focus on that...beat the FAKERS!
Fact #1 - Aside from the seven turnovers in the first quarter caused by playoff jitters and surprising Lakers defense, Steve has played great. So do we keep Steve because of it? I don't think that we have enough data. Why? Fact #2 - The Lakers are the only opponent in the playoffs that was likely to make the Rockets, and particularly Steve, look good. They don't force a lot of turnovers, they don't defend the high pick and roll well, and Yao is deferring to Steve because the Lakers are good at defending the post. I think Steve has shown why he is an All-Star. I had a good feeling when I saw him goaltend those two shots - no point guard in the league except a healthy Steve could have made those plays. I love Steve - especially when he is leaving his heart on the floor and not whining to the refs. I don't know what is going to happen this summer - but if we trade Steve, we had better get something damn good in return.
I could have sworn that I saw this big announcement by Juugie in a recent thread that he was not going to repeat his broken record "Yao is ok, but not great" routine (which is just a clever way to express his bias) during the playoffs. What happened to that? He's back at it.
Yip, you can talk about the regular season all you want because it as Francis's worst season to date. But nitpicking last night's game? What the hell is wrong with you? He was the best player on the floor period and that still isn't good enough? What do expect from him, to not miss any shots? Also, why haven't you nit picked anybody else's game? You wonder why people question whether or not you are a fan of the team or Yao when there are other players on the floor to apply your same logic to. Watch the whole game again, why don't you tell us how many more rebounds or blocks Yao and Cato should have had. Cat shot 8 for 20 and you haven't even mentioned his name. I mean, how are people supposed to respect your opinion and take it as unbiased?
well i wouldnt trade steve unless its for tmac! if stevie could cut down his TO and play smarter he would be great.
